Day #316

Daily Bread...Just what I need for today...that is all I need!

Day ???

God’s wildly generous love looks you in the eyes, sees you and your exhaustion, and wraps both arms around you and holds on tight. All you have to do is receive the gift. Like the tired, cried-out toddlers that we are.

Day #194

A nice evening of visiting with G&G and even got to see his Uncle Jeff for a moment.
A pause to the rush of doing; to be present with people we care about!

Day #193

It is a new week, new beginnings.
New things to Learn
New places to Go
New things to Experience
Opening my eyes to how God is using the Old to make things New!

Day #192

Thankful for our time with Uncle David and Aunt Jill.
We got some stuff done at the house...and got to go out for Ice Cream at Magic Freeze.

Day #191

I was super excited when my mom asked me to go to the blueberry festival with her and Brianna.  She doesn't often ask, so I jumped on it.  The three of us ladies, had a great morning, even if the blueberry festival at Dayton's was a bust!  We rocked it out!

Orchestra night with our favorite peeps!  Cherish our friendship with MOJO!  I thank God for them in our lives!

UFC fight night.  We hosted our first official UFC fight night at the house.  Oh I can see many more of these in our future.

The day was a tad packed...but it was full of relationship encounters!  Love it!

Day #190

EOW...END OF WEEK.
Oh how I am glad it is friday!  I am thankful that we have an end to the "work" week.

Day #189

Wedding Week.  We got to meet with our Wedding Coordinator for the Church.  She is super sweet, she is one of my friends sisters.  We walked through a lot of stuff and I am feeling much better about how the ceremony will flow.  I am super excited!
We want the ceremony to be a reflection our relationship with Christ and an overflow of our hearts.  We pray that through our marriage people will come to know Jesus...

Day #188

What an adventure we are on.  Today we got to meet with our Marriage Mentors.  Our church's pre-marital counseling.  We are excited it is a couple that neither of us know very well...but we found out we are closer than we think.  :-)  We will be spending time looking at how we are different and how to navigate tough conversations, and we will be looking at God's design for marriage.
Ready or Not...Here we Goooooooo

Day #185

Our friend, Ben, has been out on a work assignment in Michigan (BOO!) for the last 4 months and he has 4 more to go.  But he was in town for the weekend and we got to have lunch and play some Euchre with him!  Always fun to hang out and catch up.

Round 2 of the Jensen Reunion.  We made it for the talent show and the ancestry tree presentation.  It was again fun to hang out with family...Norabean is the cutest little spunk fire!

Here is just some of the amazing talent for the evening.

Luke, Lily, & Erik...Jesus Freaks

Day #186

Had breakfast at Hinkley park with Lily and Joel and the boys as well as my parents.  Then we hiked around the lake.  I wish I would have captured some of the moments...but I get caught up in them that I don't capture them.

Spent the day digging around the house.  My Daddy-O came over to help dig...although it doesn't look like we did much digging.  This is going to be a long process.  I am in it for the long haul!

Dinner...apparently I didn't dig enough and earn my share as Luke only made dinner for himself!

Day #187

"I choose to believe that God’s love is unfailing, that it has never wavered even a little toward me.

Seasons of longing and waiting can bruise the soul, crack it open, and leave it exposed. Applying bitterness to the wound only causes it to fester. But applying belief in the Lord’s steady, faithful love is the only remedy that medicates the wound. When your circumstances blur your vision, look up. Look to the Lord and let Him tell you what is true."  InCourage

Day #184

Got a lot done for the wedding in the morning!  Thankful for that alone time to power through a list!!!  The afternoon was spent playing volleyball at Luke's family reunion.  It was a great time to catch up with people, look through some old photo albums and enjoy Family!  I am grateful to have come out okay.  His uncle Steve has a black eye and possible broken nose.  His Aunt Donna has a raspberry the size of an orange on her arm.  Volleyball is rough with this clan!!!  :-)

Day #183

Thankful for an evening of getting things done...but then taking some time to relax and have some grilled cheese and tomato soup at a local restaurant that serves Gluten Free!!

Day #182

Nothing like planning a dinner party for 6pm and then getting the start time wrong.  Glad everyone else read the email I wrote...we arrived at 7pm :( 
Thankful for our gracious hosts and great conversation!

Day #181

Big shout out to my parents, brianna, & moses for helping with finalizing the favors.  Thankful for all the support and all the fun!

Day #180

What a great experience!!!!  I got to participate in the Womens executive leadership conference and golf outing at Firestone Country club. 
Great to interact with other professional women...and even better to golf at Firestone country club!!!!

Day #179

Thankful for Luke who reminds me who I want to be in the midst of turmoil and drama.  Who encourages and prays for me as I make difficult decisions and actions. 

Day #178

Thankful for the reminder to continue to pour into God's word!!!

Day #177

I am competitive and apparently don't like to lose...specially when something is on the line.  Hence... Putt-putt champion.  Luke was winning the whole time by 1 stroke till hole 16. 
I am thankful when i was a kid they didn't give everyone an award for participating...Yes, i will be the parent who wants my child to learn how to win and lose graciously!!!

Day #176

Luke doesn't get flustered often...today was one of them.  17 kids and 14 of them were 5 and under.  I am thankful when one of us is crazed out the other is calm...2 is better than 1

Day #175

I love when people interact and get into things and show spirit!  Thankful for the confident carefree hearts!!!

Day #174

My Get to life
Change in perspective...instead of having to be at Soccer camp and busy from 545 am till 945pm...I GET to...I GET to share the hope of Christ with little ones, I GET to interact with parents, I GET to encourage volunteers!!! 

Day #172

In my 37 years of life there has not been a championship....that has ended today!!!  Joy in watching the game with friends!

Day #171

Baseball Blowout followed by Euchre blowout...I mean ice cream was on the line!!!!!

Day #170

Joy in summer solstice with friends! 

#169

Nothing could be finer than our friends.  A few friends came over for dinner and then got right to work on making our wedding favors...Candles. We made all the jars I had purchased.  We still have a few more steps...But Wedding Favors are almost checked off the list.  There is JOY in having Friends who invest in you and help you!

Day #146

My neighbor is 90+ years old, he is from Hungry.  He loves being outside...and so do we.  Tonight we were eating our dinner outside and he came outside.  He was taking a look at his roses and his seedlings in the greenhouse.

I have known John every since I was a little girl...This was the sweetest gesture...One of his roses for me!

Day #145

Thankful for the fun in my life.  Today I went to a Photo Shoot at the John S Knight center.  I crafted a burger and it was selected to be the Challenger of last years winner.   I am excited to go try my burger at the Cafe on a Friday!

http://www.johnsknightcenter.org/pdfs/burgerchallenge2016.pdf

Day #144

Decided to take advantage of the Live broadcast of church this morning!  This made me after 3 years actually install my Google Chrome Cast...I love it!  That was a good $30's!  

After that it was outside ALL day.  

To find we have more than Gartner snakes...We have this scary aggressive guy!  

Day #143

Got to Babysit for the Nichols while they went to a wedding reception.  It was short but fun...Makes me look forward to being a Mom...and even more so knowing that Luke will be their Dad!  He is going to be a great Dad!

Day #142

So, I decided it would be good to bring my love of planting to Celebrate Recovery.  We took the kids outside and everyone planted a seed.  Going to be interesting to see if they grow...or if they made it home okay.  It has been fun, sharing things that I enjoy doing with the kids!

Day #141

Thankful to plant at least part of the garden.  I put in the fall items... Potatoes, horseradish, beets, squash...and some perenials Rhubarb and Asparagus.  Lots more still to go, but it is a start!
Something about digging in God's dirt and trying to grow your food.  I think I will be better at in 5 years!  I certainly hope so!

 

Day #140

Luke and I took the day off work today.  Started it with Breakfast with his Grandparents and ended it with time with Erik, Austen, and new baby Sawyer!  Always good to sit and chat and catch up!  Much needed

Day #139

Tonight we did my birthday dinner.  Thankful for my Dad who continues the tradition of letting us pick the restaurant for our birthday dinner.  Tonight we tried the new restaurant in town.  Bomba's Taco's and Rum...I would say that it was so-so...but thankful for the time with my parents!

Day #138

I am thankful to get some yard work done.  Cleaned out a flower bed and mulched.  Even more thankful for the beautiful weather!

Day #137

On a cold snowy day in December, I mean May.  Yep, it snowed today.  So, thankful we had Indians tickets.  We got to go stand in the windy cold weather!  :-)
We had a good time and we have a grand memory!

Day #136

So, I thought it would be fun to make 24 more cupcakes from scratch...Oh the cake part was good.  The icing...epic failure  :-(  

However, we got to party like it was 1776  :-)

Moses celebration of becoming a US citizen.  It took 10 years to go through the process...Dedication and commitment to the USA.  

Complete with :
Citizenship Quiz
                          Dance Off!
                                            and a Squeeze!!

Day #135

Whose idea was it to have 17 kids age 18 months to 12 years old ice cupcakes?

ME

It was Messy, but it was FUN...

Thankful we could be outside!!!

Day #134

Thankful for book club...even though tonight is the last night of For the Love...there is anticipation in what the future holds...another book...supper club????

Day #133

Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina...in the morning...

I mean nothing could be finer than to eat Chipotle outside on a nice day.

I mean nothing could be finer than to decide to not go to our first movie alone together and to go on a hike at hampton hills!


Thankful for the weather, thankful for the change in pace, thankful for the change of plans!!!!

Day #132

Hello!  My name is Kristin and I love creamer in my coffee, specifically I love natural creamer in my coffee!

Always looking for ways to save a little money.  My natural creamer is a tad expensive...so I made my first batch of natural creamer at home...It is half the cost of the store bought version.  

Feeling Naturally, Fantastically Frugal!!!

Day #131

I am 37 years old.
Even to write it is scary.
Oh how I feel today that I have wasted the life God has given me.  I could do...be...so much more!
I tend to get lost in the day-to-day life and forget...that EVERY day is a gift...and EVERY day is a chance to LOVE People.


My new toy...a rototiller!

Day #130

What every mother wants, her most unspoken need —  is a truckload of Grace.

What a great reminder on Mother's day.  My Mom did the best that she could and she did great!  I know she loves me!  I hope she knows that she is loved!  

God has been revealing just the need to offer more Grace.  God is so abundant in the Grace that He offers me...and yet I withhold that Grace from others.  We all fall short...We all need Grace...not just Grace from God...but Grace from Others!

Day#123

Sunday Funday...
Unfortunately my stomach was a tad upset but was still able to enjoy the day...Painting, and cutting down some limbs!  Joy in getting things done at the house!
We talked about what hospitality looks like for us when we are married and the importance of it...I am excited!
Joy in Luke and I reading our book...and talking about how and what we can do now to prepare more for marriage...

Day #122

Saturday's are usually the most Joyful!  And they are most likely my favorite day of the week.
Got to be with my parents for awhile as we visited a potential caterer for the wedding.  It was good to catch up with my parents.  Got some things cleaned up and the mower working.
Was blessed to go to church with a friend, help with PowerKids, talk about helping to lead a volleyball connect group.
And to end the day Dinner with our friend and then cards and ice cream with more friends.  I mean all in all it was a great day!

Day#121

Joy in planning a surprise for the kids at Celebrate Recovery.  I think they might be just a little excited to see what happens in a few weeks.

Day #120

There is Joy in walking around Hobby Lobby with friends for almost 2 hours...just chatting and lolling around!

Day #119

Working, Playing, Eating, Watching...Working, Playing, Eating, Watching....

Joy in watching Luke use his birthday present today.  We cut the logs for the wedding place cards.  I mean HE cut the logs for the wedding place cards.  I watched and moved them to dry.

Joy in playing Boggle.  Minds are searching, thinking, creating!  

Eating Barbeque Chicken Naan Pizza on the grill.  Sharing a Raspberry Magnum bar...Whhhhhaaaaatttt! 

Watching the Indians win against the Twins!

Day #118

Tuesday's are Tough!

With out God I am nothing and I have nothing!

But HIS love changes me!

Day#117

Joy in playing Volleyball in Nice Weather and Winning!  Got to love it!

Day #116

So much Joy in a day like today...Overwhelms

Most Joy in winning at Kubb!  Austen and I won with a come from behind win! 

But better yet holding little Esther and rocking her to sleep!...Something about little bundles of Joy!

 

Day#115

Dirt + Seeds + Toilet Paper rolls + one Hot pink Grow light = I am behind schedule in planting my seedlings but I am not out of the game yet!  I think I might start playing some classical music to see if they grow faster and happier  :-)

Thankful for the abundance this crop will produce!!!

Fresh, Organic, No Chemicals right to the table and Freezer Abundance!

Tomatoes, Peppers, Brussel Sprouts, Lettuce, Peppers, watermelon, cucumbers...the rest of the seeds are direct sow...so...  Oh yeah Marigolds, and Dahlias too!

Day #114

Do I love Jesus more right now than on the day that I first believed?

Day #113

It is not very often that Luke and I go out to dinner by ourselves, for lots of reasons...But when we do, we enjoy it!  Got to have a little relax night as we priced out book shelves I am going to make and ordered his wedding shirt.  

Day #112

Date Night...OUTSIDE

We went to Brandywine Falls for a hike this evening...it was a grand adventure.  We took the path less chosen.  The Bridge had been wiped away...but we found some rocks to cross the river.  Enjoyed walking in the park and sitting on the bench talking about the future...what we are excited for in Marriage and what we are apprehensive about...

Came back to the house to watch the Cavs Win game #2

Day #111

Thankful for an evening to curl up with a glass of wine, and an article on Best practices on off-cycles!  Haha, yes my grand evening entailed, reading some documentation for work...but it also entailed reading For the Love.  All by myself!!!!  

Day #110

We got to visit our friends new house...Finally!  FUN times catching up and seeing them so excited!

Plus it was our first night of volleyball and it was nice outside!

I am even more thankful that we can recognize we are human and make errors and work on responding instead of reacting!

Day #109

Going to an Indians game.

Going to an Indians game against THE Mets (my fav national league team)

Going to an Indians game against The Mets in a Suite

Going to an Indians game against The Mets in a Suite with some very important people!

Enough said!  

Lovely day of conversation with friends.  Not much of a game unless you were a Mets fan.  I got told to get an off an elevator!  

Day #108

There is something about a clean car.  I have had my Honda about 14 years now, it has 215K miles on it...I bought it new and every week I would sweep my car out and wash it!  When it was new I took good care of it...then probably around year 9 I started slacking because in my head I thought I would purchase a new car after having it 10 years.  So years 9 through 14 have been rough on my poor car.  Car washes were fewer and fewer between, and I started living out of the car...no room in the trunk or back seats.
Well...I have this new found spark for my car (partly because Luke likes to pick on Honda's...he is just jealous of its longevity)
Today I washed it, cleaned it all, bought some new car mats and plan on keeping it clean!  It is refreshing to get in a clean car...it is like all is right with the world.
I have a new goal.  300,000 miles...and I think it is totally doable!  My first Honda a 1982 accord had over 300k miles on it.  I am not sure I am going to be able to part with my car...the silver bullet has been so good to me!  :-)

Day #107

Birthday Bash!  Love celebrating the people that are in our lives and their lives!  God has blessed us with great friends and no better way to celebrate then with favorite foods of your guest of honor!  Happy Birthday Greg!

Day #106

How sweet it is to see Bess and Brenda, missionaries from Mexico...Even if it is over a skype date!  Love getting to talk about Itzel and her heart for wanting to come to the U.S. for some time.  Lots of details to iron out, but it is happening!!!!

Day #105

Tea and Crumpets?
Tea and Crowlers?
Tea and Chako's?
...Yes, Tea and Chako's...JOY

MoJo maddess and um, we don't have a cool nickname yet?

Day #104

I enjoy getting to go play rook with Luke's grandparents.  It is fun to catch up, and it is fun to munch on snacks together, and it is fun to WIN!!!!  Well, we won the first game, the second well it was ended early and they won...but if we would have played to 500 we would have come back and won  ;-)

Day #103

Based on the fact that I roll, my eyes a lot of times without realizing it...This was humorous to me and brought me joy!

Day #102

Couch talk!  Thankful to sit on the couch for 2 hours and have meaningful conversation that doesn't revolve around to-do's or the calendar or work or someones issues...but it was about our hearts!

Day #101

Today was a hard day.  A friend passed away earlier in the week, and today is calling hours.  He was 34 and leaves behind 4 kids and loving wife.  We rejoice because he is not in pain, we rejoice because we know we will see him again!  We grieve because we will miss his infectious humor...he was a loving, and caring person!...which was evident at his calling hours that his life was marked my by Christ and he shared that love with soo many people!  Well done, good and faithful servant...Ricky you will be missed!

Day #100

Thankful to have my niece try on her dress for the wedding and like it.  I was worried that she was not going to like the fact that it is not full and it is not a twirly dress.

Thankful that my Dad is trying!  He is looking at Tom's shoes and while he would prefer dress shoes he was open to looking at them!

Day #99

Thankful I wasn't shot!  

Haha

Driving on the highway and I hear the loudest bang in my car.  I thought something hit the roof of my car...maybe someone threw something off the bridge...but I looked around in my mirrors and didn't see anything in the air.  My next thought...

I looked down at myself to see if I was bleeding.  I thought maybe I was shot...and because of the adrenaline I didn't feel it.  I mean that is how it is in the movies!...which is all I have to base it on!  

I really have no idea what happened...my car is 14 years old so maybe it makes loud metal bangs?

Day #98

Here is to saying "Hola" as we entered Tres Patrillos.  Thankful that they were so welcoming and that we were able to communicate in espanol with the host and waitress!  It brought a smile to their faces!

Day #97

Thankful that tonight was my late night at work, and we finished early.  I was on my way home at 5:45...What a blessing!

Day #96

Tonight was a great night, our friend Mike came over for dinner.  Thankful to have open and honest conversation about life!

Day #95

The message today at church was exciting!  Luke and I are reading the booked it is based off of Love, Sex, and Dating by Andy Stanley.  More about becoming a better YOU.

I loved being able to be a part of Jenna's baby shower...so excited to meet the little one here in 7 more weeks.  Extremely thankful for the community that God provides us!

Day #94

Thankful that we could help Clayton out today.  He helped us install our new electric panel...today we were able to help him get his whole house re-painted.

Thankful for my parents who were willing to try Barrios this evening.  We talked to the manager and my Dad was okay with the Barrio Food Truck doing part of the Wedding food...He really liked their food!

Day #93

Tonight we are thankful for our brother Moses.  Who has put forth the time, effort, and money towards becoming a US Citizen.  Today he was sworn in and we were able to celebrate with him his US Birthday!

Day #91

Tonight Luke and I made dinner and had the Nichols' Family over.  We enjoy our time with Jen and Caleb but we also really enjoy our time with their kiddos!  Thankful that God provides people in our lives to listen and encourage!

Day #92

Sarah's Vineyard...Gluten Free Wood Fired Pizza...need I say more.  Always Humorous when you pull into the parking lot and see Luke standing there with your Parents...We were meeting my co-workers there...not my parents.  2nd time in two weeks we went someplace and my parents were there also.
Secured the winery for our dinner rehearsal.  The owner was very generous with us!  Thankful for connections.

Day #90

Some days you just need a good laugh...today is one of them

Day #89

This is my niece to a T...she will be an amazing leader someday!

Day #88

A rough day for me...
I hate when I allow my FEELINGS, which we all know Lie...take over.

I am a Masterpiece!
I am Beautiful
I am a Daughter of the King

The evening ended well hanging out with Luke's family for Easter.  They brought a smile to my face!

Day #87

Dress shopping, not something I was looking forward to at all...but I took my Mom, Kristina, and my niece with me.  Purchased a dress in less than an hour, phew!!!!  Truly glad that is over!

Spent the rest of the day with my niece!  Took her to go see the Little Mermaid play at Firestone Highschool ( a performing arts school).  She had a great time and it was a ton of fun!  Enjoy spending time with her, and letting her be a KID!!!!

Day #86

2016 Federal and State taxes DONE....I am mean if there isn't JOY in that I don't know???

Organized the basement.  I mean Good Friday really is Good!  Enjoyed my time off work, and time to catch up on a few things that have been on the to do list.  But also enjoyed sometime to read and relax!

Day #85

We have a date!  August 21st.  We went with my parents to take a look at Peacock Ridge.  Everyone liked it, and we booked it!  Woot, Woot.  That is cause for ice cream celebration at Cherry Street Creamery!!!

Day #84

Communion...one of my favorite things at Grace Church.  All growing up communion never had a true meaning, it was just something we did every month and we got grape juice in the pews.

At Grace it is Bread and Wine, Foot-washing, and Love Feast.  Luke and I went with some people from our old life group.  Always humbling, always restorative, always full of depth...We had a great conversation about Heaven...and who we would like to talk to in Heaven.  Hmmmm

Day #83

Tonight we went to the shooting range with Kari and Andrew...it was their Christmas Present from us.  It is always fun shooting Luke's new gun as well as the gift we got them came with 2 gun rentals.  We then went to Welch's for a well deserved cup of ice cream.  It was great just hanging out with Kari and Andrew!  People time= Good time!

Day #82

We took my parents to the Cavs game tonight, and they won.  Mom didn't yell too much at Irving.   Thankful that we can take time to enjoy life...

Day #81

Burton Family Pancake Tradition...Where you drive 45min-hour for pancakes...because it is the Maple syrup capital of the (world, state,???)  Always an adventure.  

Dot (Suedo Grandma) has been friends with these Nuns from Michigan forever.  They come down and stay with Dot all the time.  When they come down they play cards, the card game doesn't have a name to my knowledge but it is similar to Rummy.  Luke, Greg, and I went over to learn and play some cards with Dot and Grandma today!  We always have a blast hanging out!

Day #80

Put EVERYTHING away day!  A long day BUT the Joy in having everything put away and clean.  Nothing like it!

Day #79

Day #78

For the Love...What a great book, loving being with friends and talking life...love book club...everyone should do it!

Day #77

Hot or Cold
Sweet or Salty
America or Italy
Sight or Smell
In or Out
?????????

Design your own date night!  And then one more question

YES or no?

Happy to say I said Yes!  Planning an August 2016 Wedding!!!!

Day #76

Thankful for a co-worker who stayed late with me to help me do my first solo close!  It was great because they had changed my security level and I wasn't able to run one of the closing reports!

Day #75

Lost wallet found...we searched high and low and over and over again...I finally said we should call and cancel your card...he growled and continued searching...
Apparently you need to look in the couch a sixth time to find it!!!  Happy Happy Joy Joy

Day #74

Spring and Fall Luke serves in Voltage by being Gordo...one of the nerdy characters in a production our church puts on for the kids and parents.  Today was that day!

I brought Brianna a long to help serve by setting up and to attend and do something fun!!!  Fun she had...it was great to see Jim and Ben and Brianna come to life!  They all had a blast!  Thankful for people who invest their time in others and to help others have a safe environment and a safe environment to learn about Christ!

Day #73

So, today started out to be a day to move the few things I had at my parents...which I guess turns out to be a lot of things I had at my parents!  But we moved everything out, except my clothes and a few stray bags.

BUT the exciting part is my brother took my grandma's old dresser sets, sets...yes BOTH of them.  So, that frees up some room in the garage...and then my dad took some of my grandma's stuff to Salvation Army which was super nice....AND then...Luke and my Dad went to pick up the Furniture!  Surprise!

Looking more and more like a home!